heading in our direction. They were both medical professionals and could help Emmy.
They slowed down when they saw my truck, and I called out to them. The woman was out of the car and hurrying toward us, followed by the man.
“Help is here,” I whispered to Emmy. “You’re going to be okay.”
“What happened?” the nurse asked as she reached my side. “Is anyone else in the car?”
“Yes, the driver,” I said, and the medic ran past us to the car.
The rest was a blur, but I heard the medic yell, “He’s dead.”
“Antonio’s dead?” Emmy muttered.
“Yes, darlin’, he is,” I said. “You’re going to be alright.”
“Let me help her to truck,” the nurse said. “Let’s get her to the hospital, and we can wait here for the coroner for this one.”
Emmy’s eyes opened, and she stared up at me.
“You’re going to be okay,” I promised her.
And I always kept my promises.
Emilia
“How’s the baby?” I asked as soon as the nurse entered my room.
“The baby is fine, but we’re going to keep you overnight for observation. Just to be safe,” she said with a bright smile. “You’re a lucky woman. You only have a minor concussion. Good thing you were wearing your seatbelt.”
“Can I see Graham now?”
“Of course, I’ll send him right in.”
It felt like an eternity until that door opened and Graham stepped into the room. For the first time since we’d met, I saw tears in his eyes.
“I let you down,” he whispered shamefully. “I wasn’t there.”
“You were there, Graham. You found me.”
He leaned down and kissed my forehead, then my lips. “I’m just glad you’re okay.”
“Me too. And the baby should be fine too.”
We hadn’t really had a chance to discuss the baby, and I wasn’t sure how he felt about the child, but the smile on his face told me all I needed to know.
“You have no idea how happy I am to hear that.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, really. You know, I never thought of myself as the fatherly type, but ever since you told me…” he shrugged. “Well, that’s changed. I’ve grown rather attached to the idea.”
“Even though you hardly know me?” I asked, biting my lip.
“I know what I need to, Emmy. You’re going to be an amazing mother.”
“Thank you,” I said, squeezing his hand tightly. I let out a breath and said, “Is it true? Is Antonio really dead?”
“He didn’t survive the crash.”
I closed my eyes as relief washed over me - but only partially.
“And,” Graham continued. “With Liv’s help, they managed to find his associates in town, and I’m confident they messed with the wrong sheriff. Teddy is going to nail those bastards, I’m confident of it.”
“Yeah, he’s not corrupt, that much I know.”
“I’m positive they’ll never bother you again. Them or your father.”
I opened my eyes in surprise. “My father?” My voice cracked.
“Yeah, he’s in custody. He’s unharmed, though,” Graham explained quickly. “He was with the Lombardos. It was his idea to capture Liv.”
A lump formed in my throat, and I stared at my hands, not sure what to say. “Oh.”
“He’s going away too, Emmy. They all are.”
Teddy wouldn’t let them get away with this. He couldn’t be bought by anyone. My father would go to prison for kidnapping.
“And Liv is fine?”
“Why don’t you ask her yourself,” Graham said, winking at me. “She’s in the waiting room. I can grab her if you’d like.”
I grabbed both of his hands. “Please don’t leave.”
He leaned down and kissed me. “I’ll never leave you again, Emmy. You or our child. Just promise me you won’t leave.”
“I won’t. I was stupid before.”
“Nah, you just didn’t know me. But hopefully you do now. And whatever you don’t know, I’m happy to tell you. I’m an open book, Emmy.” He spread his arms wide.
“Thank you.”
“I know it’s early, but I have to say something.”
I tilted my head to the side and stared at him, waiting for him to speak. When he didn’t, I said, “Out with it, Graham. Don’t keep me waiting.”
“I just, well, I love you.”
My heart skipped a beat, and my belly filled with butterflies. “I love you too.”
“Good,” he said, kissing me again. His hand rested on my belly, and in that moment I knew.
I knew my dreams were about to come true.
We’d be a family.
And we’d never be alone again.
Epilogue
EMILIA
Eight Months Later
“Where’s that munchkin! I need to squish his face.” Liv’s voice echoed through the foyer as she entered the house. She saw me sitting with my son and she smiled brightly. “There he is!”
Nicholas Graham Harvey was